Mark - An Introduction
The Gospel of Mark • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 31:10
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Introduction:
If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark chapter 1.
Today we begin what will be a year and a half journey through the gospel according to Mark.
And this morning we will ease into the book by providing some background and then by meditating only upon verse 1.
So lets read verse 1 and then lets pray for God to bless our time together.
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Lets Pray
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
From the very first sentence it is clear who will be the main character of this book.
Jesus will be front and center.
In fact, every single section in the book of Mark is about Jesus except for only two passages which provide details about John the Baptist.
One commentator writes, “Jesus is the uncontested subject of the Gospel of Mark”
In fact, Mark does not even identify himself as the author.
We know that Mark is the author to a fair degree of certainty, because of the testimony of church history.
As early as the beginning of the second century we have testimony to not only Mark’s authorship, but also that the apostle Peter assisted Mark in compiling this book.
A pastor named Papias in Asia minor around A.D. 130 wrote this about the gospel according to Mark,
“Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered” - Papias (A.D. 130)
Again, In the late-second-century, Clement of Alexandria writes this about the gospel of Mark,
When Peter had publicly preached the word at Rome, and by the Spirit had proclaimed the Gospel, those present, who were many, exhorted Mark, as one who had followed [Peter] for a long time and remembered what had been spoken, to make a record of what was said; and he did this, and distributed the Gospel among those that asked him - Clement of Alexanderia
I want to pause here and recognize just how incredible this is as we are introducing ourselves to this gospel.
This book is a real work of history,
written by a real historical person,
about a real historical person - Jesus of Nazareth.
This morning, I want us to see four things about Jesus from this introductory sentence, but the first thing I want us to recognize is something we often take for granted.
Truth #1 Jesus is a Real Historical Person
Truth #1 Jesus is a Real Historical Person
Christianity is not a myth or a legend that has no grounding in history.
We do not celebrate Easter this morning, because of some oral tradition of mythical stories passed down to help make sense of life in a broken world.
Mark and Peter who apparently joined together to compose the testimony of this book, were real people, really changed by Jesus and their testimony spans across multiple books of the Bible.
Peter walked with Jesus for 3 years,
He heard his teaching,
watched his miracles,
ate the bread multiplied from heaven,
walked on water to meet Jesus,
cowered in the corner at Jesus’ trial,
and full of the Holy Spirit preached in boldness that Jesus resurrected from the dead!
Peter led the church in Jerusalem and eventually traveled to Rome where he taught the church and made disciples.
There Peter ministered along side Mark, sometimes called John-Mark
We see these two cross paths several times throughout the story of the Bible.
When God delivered Peter from imprisonment in Jerusalem in Acts 12, Peter went straight to Mark’s mother’s house where they were praying for his deliverance.
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Scholars assume that this house, John Mark’s house, was the same house where the Last Supper occured, and where the disciple’s prayed and waited for the Spirit to fall.
This means that John Mark, though likely pretty young at the time, and his family, would have witnessed first hand some of the most climactic moments in the ministry of Jesus and in the lives of the disciples.
Mark’s whole life apparently had been shaped by this Jesus.... so much so that he later accompanied apostle Paul on his missionary journeys to plant churches....
Again, Mark’s name shows up at the end of one of Peter’s letters, while Peter was likely ministering in Rome.
She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
This book we are beginning to study....
This Resurrection Sunday that we celebrate is not a matter of mythology.
Jesus of Nazareth is not a make believe being designed to soothe our restless souls about the afterlife.
2,000 years ago, a man was born, lived, died, and rose again on the third day… and he is a man to be reckoned with.
His message has spread throughout history and around the globe, so that all of us sit here this morning in St. Rose, LA because it is on this day that we celebrate his very real historical resurrection from the dead.
Mark directs our eyes not to himself, not to the apostle Peter, but to the climax of history, the main character of all creation - Jesus himself.
And we must come to terms with what we believe about this Jesus whose message forever changed the landscape of world history.
This is what Mark intended to do in writing this book.
He intends to help us see who Jesus really is.
And this is why he begins his book in this way.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The first words, “the beginning”
Should remind you of another book that begins similarly.
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Mark signals to his readers, that what follows is of similar importance to the beginning of all things.
A new beginning as come into the world.
A universe shaping event occured when Jesus came into the world.
This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.... or the good news of Jesus Christ.
Whatever follows, is good news for the world.
Truth #2 Jesus is Good News for the World
Truth #2 Jesus is Good News for the World
The word “gospel” both in the Old Testament and in Greek Literature was commonly used in reporting victory from the battlefield.
A messenger would return home running with good news to proclaim that victory had been attained, and he would sprint through the city heralding “good news, good news”
Similarly, just a decade prior to Jesus’ birth, the birth of Caesar Augustus was heralded throughout the empire as “good news”…
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah spoke of “good news” that would be heralded when God would bring salvation to his people through a future suffering servant King.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The picture of Isaiah 52 is a coming King who would extend the reign of God over a broken and sinful world.
someone was coming who would usher in
a new beginning,
a new world,
a new kingdom,
a new life of peace, happiness, and salvation under God’s reign.
This someone would be the anointed one of God.... the Christ.
The term Christ, in Mark shows up more sparingly then in other books of the Bible, but it carries with it weighty eternal reality.
The word literally means “anointed one”
To say that Jesus is the “christ” is to say that he is the “prophet, priest, and king” that the Old Testament promised was coming.
Listen to how Isaiah 61 describes the ministry of the coming anointed one.
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Somehow, someway, the good news of world restoration for God’s people promised in the Old Testament is a person - Jesus of Nazareth.
One commentator writes.
The Gospel according to Mark The Key to Mark (1:1)
In Mark’s understanding, therefore, the gospel is more than a set of truths, or even a set of beliefs. It is a person, “the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The kingdom that God inaugurates is bodily present in Jesus of Nazareth
He is the good news,
He is the King,
He is the anointed one,
But Mark continues… he is even more than that.
Direct your attention to the title at the end of the sentence - “Son of God.”
This is the mind blowing claim of Mark… and it is eternally life changing, if it is true.
Truth #3 Jesus is the Son of God
Truth #3 Jesus is the Son of God
The Gospel of Mark, is an eye-witness testimony to the personhood of Jesus.
It is an attempt to answer the question that every person should honestly ask.
Who is Jesus really?
Mark aims to show you, that
Jesus is not just a historical person who got a following
Jesus is not just a moral teacher
Jesus is not just a good example of love and humility.
Jesus is not one religious option among many
Jesus is the divine Son of God.
He is God in human flesh,
and throughout the book, Mark will seek to testify this to you predominantly through both Jesus’ actions, and through other’s assessment of Jesus.
Mark is very much action based.
The story quickly moves from one scene to the next, not spending as much time on Jesus’ teachings, as he does on Jesus’ actions.
Mark transitions from miracle to miracle, sign after sign, that point to Jesus’ divine authority over all things.
Jesus is shown to have absolute authority.
He has authority to forgive sins
Authority to direct and destroy demons
Authority to heal all sicknesses
Authority to undo all disabilities
Authority to define truth and declare divine teaching
Authority over all of the created order including trees, and wind, and waves, and the physics of a material world.
and ultimately he has authority even over death itself.
Along the way, a variety of voices testify that all of this is because he is in fact the Son of God
God the Father and God the Spirit Identify Jesus as God the Son
This is certainly a mystery, but it becomes clear in the gospel of Mark that God is more than we ever could have imagined.
He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit - distinct in person, and united in essence and deity.
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Again in Mark 9, a voice from heaven affirms the identity of Jesus.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
As if a divine voice from heaven affirming Jesus’ identity was not enough, many other voices affirm his identity throughout the book.
The Demons Identified Jesus as Son of God
And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”
And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”
Jesus was put on trial by the religious elite, partly because of this claim that he was the Son of God.
After arresting him by cover of night, they question Jesus point blank.
and
Jesus Identified Himself as the Son of God
But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Even at Jesus’ death… a testimony is given to his identity by one of the most unlikely of voices.
A Roman soldier, who had been a part of the gruesome crucifixion, came to understand what this book will argue.
The Roman Soldier Identified Jesus as the Son of God
37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
And this is the paradoxical message of Mark...
If this historical Jesus is supposed to be good news for the world, the King of a new Kingdom, and the divine Son of God.....
Why did he die?
This is what so many struggle to comprehend throughout the Gospel.
Peter, himself, recognized that Jesus was the Christ… but he could not understand how suffering, and dying, was a part of the plan to bring good news.
Consider this conversation that occurs at the very center of the book of Mark.
Imagine Peter retelling this story to Mark as he reflects upon how little he understood in those days.
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Peter saw the miracles,
He realized that Jesus was the Christ....
But he could not comprehend how Jesus’ death could be good news for anyone?
This similar series of conversations happens three times:
Mark 8:31
Mark 9:31
and Mark 10:34
Jesus tells them three times that he is going to suffer and die...
And three times They have a hard time understanding....
And three times, Jesus explains that in order to follow him, they too will have to sacrifice many things.
But the clearest and most concise explanation of how Jesus’ death would be good news for his people comes in Mark 10:44-45.
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This is how and why Mark understands Jesus to be the essence of the good news for the world.
Jesus, the eternally divine Son of God, came to bring good news by paying a price on our behalf.
Mark, more than any other gospel account, details the willing steps of Jesus to the cross of crucifixion,
where he paid the penalty of death for the sin of mankind.
Jesus’ name literally means “salvation”...
And this what Jesus the real historical person… “the good news of salvation, the anointed one, the Son of God” did on your behalf.
Truth #4 Jesus Saves Through His Death and Resurrection
Truth #4 Jesus Saves Through His Death and Resurrection
This is the message of Mark .
We live in a world that is desperate for good news.
We live in a world that is plagued with disease, depression anxiety, conflict, strife, sin, and death.
We live in a world where we very much feel the separation from God…
And according to the Bible we are on our way to a place where we will eternally endure that separation unless something changes.
But Jesus changes everything.
His miracles are a foretaste of the future world he will invite us to enjoy where the curse of sin and suffering is no more.
His death, paid the penalty that we owed for our own sins before God.
and His resurrection life on the third day guarantees the eternal life that he has promised us who believe.
This is the message of Christianity.
This is the message of Easter.
We celebrate this morning because we have believed the testimony of a Resurrected man and his followers.
There is good news to be had.
There is good news to which we must respond.
The gospel of Mark is packed with descriptions of how different people responded to the person and work of Jesus.
Some rejected him outright
Others pretended to follow until things got hard, or until they found something else that they desired more.
Some believed and were forever changed.
I want to challenge you this morning to respond to the reality of Jesus.
Some of you have already had your lives changed by Jesus. In Jesus you have found forgiveness, love, joy, and the hope of eternal life.
Worship him in thankfulness this morning.
Some of you have put your faith in Jesus, but you have lost touch with his reality. You say you believe, but nothing about your life shows that you are following a resurrected Jesus.
Repent, and consider what your life would look like if you believed Jesus to be good news for the world.
Some of you have never come to terms with who Jesus really is, and how he calls you to follow him.
I just want to leave you with a question. “what if he really rose from the dead?”
What if he really offers eternal life?
What the God who created the world really came into our world?
What if God has sovereignly worked to bring you here this morning to hear the good news… and believe for the first time?